Team England has finalized its complete swimming and para-swimming support staff for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as announced on Friday, May 22, 2026.
The roster includes personnel from various backgrounds across the aquatics community, including university programs, performance centers, school programs, and club coaches.
Andi Manley will serve as Head Coach for the delegation.
Richard Blackshaw has been appointed Team Leader, while Rod Wardle takes on the role of Lead Team Manager, working alongside Team Manager Claire Thorn.
Daniel Waddingham will oversee athlete preparation, strength and conditioning, and recovery as the Lead Sport Science and Sports Medicine Practitioner.
The support network also includes performance analysts Craig Robertson and Victoria Jones, physiotherapists Rachel Carter and Lisa Sharratt, and an eight-person coaching contingent.
This coaching group consists of Ryan Livingstone, Jamie Main, Karen Bradbury, Andy Sharp, Richard Denigan, Kevin Brooks, Greg King-Limb, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Calum Jarvis.
Five of the eight coaches are making their debut at a senior major championship and multi-sport event.
Leadership and Team Vision
“Being selected for a Commonwealth Games is a proud moment for everyone involved, and that extends beyond the athletes to the team supporting them every day,” said Andi Manley, Team England Swimming Head Coach.
Manley noted that the selection brings together dedicated personnel from across the sport to establish an optimal training environment for the athletes.
“This group brings together highly experienced and committed staff from across the breadth of the coaching community, all focused on creating the right environment for our swimmers to prepare well and perform at their best,” Manley added.
The coaching staff remains aligned in their preparation goals for the international event this summer.
“We’re aligned in our approach, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.
The opportunity to represent England doesn’t come around often and we’re aiming to make the nation proud this summer,” Manley said.
Management emphasized that navigating the multi-sport event requires comprehensive behind-the-scenes support to ensure athlete success.
“To compete at a Commonwealth Games takes a huge collective effort, with a committed team of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to give athletes everything they need to succeed,” said Richard Blackshaw, Swim England Head of Sport and Team England Team Leader for Swimming and Para-Swimming.
Blackshaw highlighted that the integrated unit operates under unified standards to ensure readiness for the competition in Glasgow.
“What makes this staff group particularly strong is its quality and togetherness, bringing world-class coaching, performance support and team operations into one integrated unit, built around shared standards and a collective focus on ensuring the team arrives ready to compete in Glasgow,” Blackshaw said.
The delegation aims to demonstrate high levels of professionalism and expertise during the games.
“United by a single purpose, our staff are determined to help the team represent Team England with pride and showcase the professionalism, care and expertise that sits at the heart of English swimming,” Blackshaw concluded.
